have stayed at all varieties of WDW hotels since 1987; have tried ASMusic and Movies, CS, Dolphin twice(business convention), and AKL CL for Walts 100 at the end of Sept 2001 which was empty as was the parks; first major CL trip was in 1989 i think, at the GF Concierge when they had the super Grand Plan which they didn't want to do because it was redundant in perks but after a call to Eisners office we got it - ate twice at the Empress Room and twice at V&As - hated the suit at wdw but it was worth it; the trees were newly planted so the view of the MK was wonderful - now its blocked a bit from those 'redwoods' lol;
then when they opened the WL we always stayed there even before they created the CL there; we felt that even though it was definitely full of disney effects we always thought it was the one resort that you truly felt you were in Yellowstone and not inside a disney park, the music in the lobby, rocking chairs by the fireplace, flag family of the day etc. But then as we got older, more spoilt, and more flush with gelt(yiddish for cash lol) we started staying again in the GF CL either 4421 or 4422, the octagon honeymoon suite or the weirdly shaped Deluxe next door;
then when some disability issues began we thought the more convenient stay would be around Crescent Lake; since we were coney island visitors we chose the BWI although have stayed at the YC too, which we remember passing by in the tram that made the loop from Epcot to BC, Y&B, Swan & Dolphin and then in front of the construction walls of the BWI back to Epcot. Now after the last couple of years when I swallowed my pride and rented an ECV from Gold, it is the perfect location to do Epcot and DHS; we really dont do AK much anymore and we take the accessible minnie vans to the MK;
i have never had any complaints about WDW hotels and parks except for during the tenure of Bob Paychek and am glad he is gone;
we are going back to the BWI Deluxe CL on sept 26 and then again jan 30; then hoping to go back spring of '25 when 1st grandchild who is due nov 16(going to stay up by DD for the whole month of nov in a Homewood suites by hilton(not much else around there except for the Mohawk Casino) to help out; so wdw trips might be put on hold until we can all go together; DD's first trip was at 23 months old so her DD can hopefully go at 17-18 months of age; a nice 2BR suite or 2 connecting rooms in the CL hopefully at the BWI CL or another since DD wants to be on momoail so maybe back to the GF it will be;
we also did the
DCL once, the Wonder, for DDs Bat Mitzvah present; we did the land and sea but we front ended a full week at the GF CL in 4421, the octagon; there was a little problem in that your accommodation on the ship determined your accommodation level at the resort; since we stayed in the Walter E Disney suite on the DCL Wonder we were guaranteed the GF CL; however, those pesky computers only allowed 2 people in the honeymoon suite and we were 3; so 1 call to Eisner's office and another nice convo with Lucille Martin, who was Walt's secretary, then Eisners, locked out 4421 for the 3 of us for the week; over the years i developed a friendship with Lucille and always called her when an issue arose and just like magic everything worked out; i was sorry to hear she passed because she truly embodied the magic of Walt and what he envisioned for CMs at Disney;
8 sleeps to go including tonight if i ever make it to sleep and then the BWI Deluxe CL here we come; hoping to get a desk because there is no way i can manage using the laptop on the bed; but i am sure the magic will happen as it always seen to do;
It looks so amazing! Be ready for a comparison post!
The location is definitely a plus. Love that I can just walk to Epcot and HS.
